On Thursday evening, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Museum of the Albemarle and Elizabeth City State University will host the Max Roach Centennial Celebration Jazz Festival opening night reception with special guest and Elizabeth City native, A. B. Spellman. Spellman has written essays and poetry for Rhythm magazine and taught at Morehouse College, Emory University, Rutgers, and Harvard University.
In 1975, Mr. Spellman became director of Arts in Education Study Projects for the National Endowment for the Arts. Spellman retired from the NEA in 2005. In 2024, Mr. Spellman won a Grammy Award in the category Best Classical Compendium for the project Passion for Bach and Coltrane.
Guests will be able to meet Mr. Spellman in the lobby starting at 6 p.m. At 6:45 p.m., A Conversation with A.B. Spellman hosted by Veronica Downing of ECSU/ WRVS Jazzy 89.9 Radio Show Honey Vibes Weekend Radio Show and the JazzHead Podcast will be held in the auditorium and will be followed by light refreshments.
The Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Jazz Festival 2024 is sponsored by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.